He jerks his head back. “I gave you twenty minutes notice. When did you have time to find a present?”
“I have my tricks. I’m awesome like that.”
“Yes, you are.” He nods as he closes the door then gets inside the car. “You didn’t have to buy them anything.”
“Of course, I did. Thirty-six years. They deserve national recognition at the very least.”
“I completely agree with that.”
“I don’t know any couple who’s been together this long. Did they ever. . . you know. . . take breaks?”
“They had ups and downs along the years, like every couple I suppose. But I always remember them being loving and supportive to each other, and to us kids.”
The moment he revs the engine to life, something stirs inside me. This feels so much like we’re a couple.
“Are we all right, Ava?”
I swallow. How can he read me this well? “Yeah.”
“What about your contract?”
“We’ll have to be careful so Dirk doesn’t find out.” My insides clench at the thought of everything I’m risking. If I lose my job, I won’t be able to afford saving for a deposit for my own apartment. I don’t even want to think about the damage it would do to my career.
“So if this was an option, why did we wait until now?”
“Because you’re so easy to fall in love with, Sebastian. I can’t lose my head and throw all my hard work down the drain.”
“I’m not asking you to give up anything for me, and I know you don’t want a long-distance relationship. I’m not a big fan of them myself. Let me make these four months the best of your life.”
“You’re sweet,” I say.
“If anything happens, I’ll move damn mountains for you if it’s necessary.”
“I can take care of myself, Sebastian. Always have.” I slide lower in my seat, watching him. He’s not just sweet, but also perfect. Utterly perfect. I don’t say that out loud though. Instead, I bombard him with questions.
“Tell me about your family. Who’s going to be there? Is there anything I should be careful with?”
“I could write an entire book about this.”
“Give me the CliffsNotes version.”
He furrows his brow, as if this requires his utmost concentration. “Mom’s very nosy. My entire family is, but Mom is very smart about it. She can get the deepest secrets out of you and you won’t even know it.”
“Sebastian Bennett, are you afraid of your own mother?”
Sebastian laughs softly, and there is a glow to him that makes me happy. He loves talking about his family.
“Of course not,” he says seriously. “But I have a lot of experience. I’ve learned what to say or not to say around her. You, on the other hand, are easy prey.”
“Pffft, I can handle her.”
“You’ve been warned.”
“Who else?”
“Well, my sisters take after my mother. You’ve met Pippa and Alice. I’m surprised Pippa hasn’t cornered you at the office already. Summer is the eternal romantic.” His smile broadens at the mention of his baby sister.
“Tell me about your brothers. They can’t possibly be as good-looking as they are in photos, right? Though, you and Logan are. And Blake and Daniel too, I saw them at the party,” I finish. Sebastian glares at me. I grin. “Are you jealous?”